Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.p.

Hewlett-packard Company

Richard Lynn Gardner, Jr

Paul Clinton Coffin

Michael J Chaloner

Kelly John Reasoner

Richard Alan Irwin

Kristianne Emma Johnson

Marie B Struckman

Robert L Mueller

Robert Wesley Luffel

Joseph M White

Matthias A Lester

An apparatus and method for retrieving data related to a data cartridge contained in a multi-plane media storage system. One or more data retrieval devices are attached to the cartridge access device. A transponder is attached to the data cartridge for storing the related data, and at least one reader attached to a cartridge access device of the media storage system is positionable adjacent the data cartridge for reading the related data from the transponder. A scanner adapted to scan bar code indicia on the data cartridges may also be attached to the cartridge access device at the opposite end from the reader.

Apparatus and method for retrieving data related to a data cartridge in a media storage system

The present invention discloses a system and method for providing an automated imaging system comprising an illumination source, a phosphorescent imaging target, and an optical imaging sensor for receiving luminance information emitted from the phosphorescent imaging target.

Automated imaging with phosphorescent imaging targets

A method for identifying objects within a set of objects includes the steps of transmitting a signal toward a region of interest, receiving energy reflected from the region of interest, establishing a baseline field strength for the received reflected energy, determining at least one frequency at which the field strength substantially differs from the baseline field strength for the received reflected energy, and identifying at least one object within the region of interest based upon the determined at least one frequency.

System and method for improved object identification

Data cartridge exchange apparatus for use in a data storage system may include a moveable cartridge storage array having at least a first data cartridge storage location and a second data cartridge storage location. The first data cartridge storage location is operatively associated with the second data cartridge storage location so that the first data cartridge storage location is independently moveable with respect to the second data cartridge storage location when the second data cartridge storage location is accessible by the data storage system.

Reconfigurable data cartridge import/export drawer

Methods for controlling the position of a plunge mechanism which is mounted to a cartridge engaging assembly are disclosed herein. In one method, the position of a plunge mechanism associated with a cartridge engaging assembly is regulated by 1) providing a reference mark on the plunge mechanism, 2) detecting a size of the reference mark on the plunge mechanism, and then 3) determining the position of the plunge mechanism based on the size of the detected reference mark. In another method, a plunge mechanism is moved to an extended position within a cartridge engaging assembly by 1) initiating movement of the plunge mechanism from a retracted toward an extended position in accordance with an open loop control schedule, and then 2) after moving the plunge mechanism for a predetermined distance, switching control of the movement of the plunge mechanism to a closed loop control schedule, and monitoring a detector which detects a reference mark provided on the plunge mechanism.

Methods for regulating the position of a plunge mechanism of a cartridge engaging assembly

A data cartridge exchange apparatus for use in a data storage system having a drawer with at least a first data cartridge storage location and a second data cartridge storage location. The drawer is operatively associated with the data storage system so that the first data cartridge storage location is moveable between a first position and a second position. The first data cartridge storage location is operatively associated with the second data cartridge storage location so that the first data cartridge storage location is independently moveable from the second data cartridge storage location.

Apparatus for controlling the position of a plunge mechanism which is mounted to a cartridge engaging assembly is disclosed herein. The apparatus may be embodied in a cartridge engaging assembly having a plunge mechanism that is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. The plunge mechanism is provided with a reference mark that moves with the plunge mechanism. A detector is mounted to the cartridge engaging assembly, wherein the detector senses an image of the reference mark and produces an output signal related thereto. A control system is operatively associated with the detector and is responsive to the output signal produced thereby. The control system is also operatively associated with the plunge mechanism so that it regulates the position of the plunge mechanism based on the output signal.

Apparatus for regulating the position of a plunge mechanism of a cartridge engaging assembly

A media handling device is disclosed herein. One embodiment of the media handling device comprises a picker, a support mechanism, and an imaging device. The support mechanism may comprise a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion is attached to the picker and wherein the second portion is movably associated with the first portion. The support mechanism first portion is slidably attached to the support mechanism second portion. The imaging device attached to the support mechanism second portion. The support mechanism second portion has a first operative position and a second operative position relative to the support mechanism first portion.

Imaging device and method for use in an autochanger

A bar code reading system comprises a first bar code label and a second bar code label. The first bar code label is positioned on an object at a first location and in a first orientation. The second bar code label is positioned on the object at a second location and in a second orientation. The first and second bar code labels each have indicia thereon representative of a label data set. Bar code reading apparatus positionable next to the object has a limited field of view such that the bar code reading apparatus reads only first and second portions of the first and second bar code labels. The bar code reading apparatus produces first and second data sets representative of the first and second portions. A data processing system operatively associated with the bar code reading apparatus combines the first and second data sets to produce a combined data set representative of the label data set.

Dual bar code reading system for a data storage system

An apparatus and method for retrieving data related to a data cartridge contained in a media storage system. One or more data retrieval devices are attached to the cartridge access device. A transponder is attached to the data cartridge for storing the related data, and at least one reader attached to a cartridge access device of the media storage system is positionable adjacent the data cartridge for reading the related data from the transponder. A scanner adapted to scan bar code indicia on the data cartridges may also be attached to the cartridge access device at the opposite end from the reader.

Methods and apparatus for controlling the position of a plunge mechanism which is mounted to a cartridge engaging assembly are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a cartridge engaging assembly includes a plunge mechanism which is mounted to the cartridge engaging assembly. The plunge mechanism is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A reference mark is provided on the plunge mechanism so that the reference mark moves with the plunge mechanism. A detector is also mounted to the cartridge engaging assembly. As the plunge mechanism is extended, the detector detects the reference mark and produces an output signal which is related thereto. A control system is operatively associated with the detector and is responsive to the output signal produced thereby. The control system is also operatively associated with the plunge mechanism. As a result, the control system can regulate the position of the plunge mechanism based on the output signal produced by the detector.

Position control for plunge mechanism

A data cartridge exchange apparatus for use in a data storage system may comprise a drawer having a first data cartridge storage location and a second data cartridge storage location. The drawer is operatively associated with the data storage system so that the first data cartridge storage location may be moved between a first position and a second position and so that the second data cartridge storage location may be moved between a third position and a fourth position. The first data cartridge storage location is operatively associated with the second data cartridge storage location so that the first data cartridge storage location may be moved independently from the second data cartridge storage location and so that the first data cartridge storage location may be moved together with the second data cartridge storage location.

A data cartridge exchange apparatus for use in a data storage system may comprise a drawer sized to receive at least one data cartridge. The drawer is operatively associated with a cartridge handling system of the data storage system so that the drawer may be moved by the cartridge handling system between a retracted position and an extended position.

Automated data cartridge import/export drawer

An autochanger includes an imaging device affixed to a media handling device. The autochanger is of the type that uses optical indicia to identify media pieces located therein. The imaging device is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the media handling device. The autochanger moves the imaging device to positions relative to the media pieces where the imaging device can read the indicia. The autochanger further moves the imaging device relative to the media handling device to optimize the reading capability of the imaging device without increasing the size of the autochanger.

An apparatus and method for retaining at least two different sizes of data cartridges in a storage magazine. A frame assembly defines a chamber in the storage magazine. The chamber is dimensioned to receive the largest of the two different sizes of data cartridges therein. A cartridge referencing member is mounted to the frame assembly and is resiliently displaceable within the chamber. The cartridge referencing member applies a biasing force to a data cartridge received therein to retain the received data cartridge in a registration position within the chamber to keep it from floating into an unknown position within the interior of the chamber.

Growing community of inventors

Greeley, CO, United States of America

Richard Lynn Gardner, Jr